Device for producing x-ray pictures of temporomandibular joint

ABSTRACT

An auxiliary device for producing dental X-ray pictures, comprising a bracket equipped with a film holder, and means for securing the bracket of the auxiliary device to the dental X-ray machine. The securing or attachment means is arranged at the bracket in a position opposite the film holder.

United States Patent 1 u 11 3,777,140 Graf Dec. 4, 1973 [54] DEVICE FORPRODUCING X-RAY 2,264,410 12/1941 Schier 250/50 2,254,544 9/1941 PIOtZet al 250/50 PICTURES OF TEMPOROMANDIBULAR JOINT Inventor: Hans Graf,Alte Landstrasse 98,

Foreign Application Priority Data Aug. 28, 1970 Switzerland 1247/70 US.Cl ..250/490, 250/451, 250/479 Int. Cl. G01n 23/04 Field of Search250/69, 70, 50

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2/1934 Levy 250/70 FOREIGNPATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 708,993 5/1954 Great Britain 250/70 PrimaryExaminer-Archie R. Borchelt Assistant Examiner-T. N. GrigsbyAtt0meyDavid Toren et al.

[5 7 ABSTRACT An auxiliary device for producing dental X-ray pictures,comprising a bracket equipped with a film holder, and means for securingthe bracket of the auxiliary device to the dental X-ray machine. Thesecuring or attachment means is arranged at the bracket in a positionopposite the film holder.

2 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures PATENTEDUEC 41m Fig.2

' INVENTOR. HHNS GA 7 BY 7:2- J

DEVICE FOR PRODUCING X-RAY PICTURES OF TEMPOROMANDIBULAR JOINTBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Until now a special X-ray machine wasrequired to take X-ray pictures of the human temporomandibular joint.These pictures, though an integral part of dental treatment, are onlyinconveniently supplied to the average dental practitioner byinstitutions where such machines can be found.

This standard procedure produces an interrupted treatment programbothersome to patient and dentist. It should also be mentioned that theX-ray pictures obtained should be reproducible in order to obtainmaximum benefit. This quality controlis difficult to achieve whenvarious operations may be taken the X-ray pictures at various timeswithin a given institution.

The present inventation will allow the dental practitioner to takereproducible X-ray pictures of the temporomandibular joint in his owndental office.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Hence, it will be seen from what has beenstated above a problem still exists in the art of dentistry infurnishing the dentist in a convenient fashion with X-ray pictures ofthe temporomandibular joint of his patients. It is a primary objectiveof this invention to provide an auxiliary device which facilitates themaking of such X-ray pictures.

Another and more specific object of the present invention is directed toa novel construction of a device rendering possible the convenient andrapid making of X-ray pictures for a dentist.

The invention is predicated upon the recognition that for the purpose ofproducing X-ray pictures, especially X-ray pictures of thetemporomandibular joint, it is possible to resort to the use of aconventional dental X-ray machine.

Still it has been found that when using such conventional dental X-raymachines certain problems arise. For instance, it is difficult to obtainthecorrect adjustment of theX-ray tube with respect to the head of thepatient, or the correct adjustment of such X-ray tube with respect tothe X-ray film as well 'as the correct supporting of these componentswith regard to one another is difficult. i

Hence a further objective of the present invention is the provision of adevice which positively ensures in a most-simple manner the desiredproper adjustment and support of the aforementioned components.

Now, in order to implement these and still further objects of theinvention, which will become more readily apparent as the descriptionproceeds, the auxiliary device of the invention suitable for theproduction of X-ray pictures of the temporomandibular joint ismanifested by the features that there is provided a bracket which isprovided with a film holder or support as well as means for securing thebracket to the dental X-ray machine. The securing means is arranged atthe bracket in a position opposite the film holder or support.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING The invention will be better understoodand-objectives other than those set forth above, will become apparentwhen consideration is given to the following detailed description of theenclosed drawings.

FIG. 1 is perspective view of a preferred embodiment of inventive devicesuitable for the production of X-ray pictures, especially the humantemporomandibular joint.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the device of FIG. 1 shown attached to theconical nose portion of a conventional dental X-ray machine.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION The following description refers tothe enclosed drawings of the invention. A mounting bracket 1 formed ofany suitable arcuate curved member, here considered as formed of metalbent intoflan are as shown. One end of the bracket '1 is equipped with aclamping ring 2 and the opposite end is equipped with a film holder orsupport 3. The clamping ring 2 is connected in any convenient fashion,for instance by screws 9, with the bracket 1. To provide an adjustablemounting or support of this auxiliarydevice at the X-ray machine theclamping ring 2 has a slot 10 through which passes a clamping screw 11,or equivalent device, which may be provided with a knurled head asshown. The ends of the clamping ring 10 which are formed by thisinterruption are provided with a suitable enlarged portion, notparticularly shown, in order to obtain, on the one hand a support orcontact surface and, on the other hand, a nut member for the clampingscrew 11. It has been found that the above mode of attachment of theauxiliary device to the X-ray machine is extremely simple and reliable,although it will obviously suggest itself to those skilled in the artthat modifications of the described attachment or securing means for thebracket are possible.

It will be recalled that a film holder is mounted at the bracket 1 atthe end remote from the attachment means constituted by the clampingring 2 and clamping screw 11, and this film holder or support 3 consistsof a frame 13 and two guide tracks or rails 14 and 15 which are securedto such frame 13 in a position confronting one another in spacedrelationship as shown. Apart from the foregoing structure the devicealso possesses an adjustable stop or impact means 4 comprised of a boltmember 5 which is displaceably mounted at the bracket 1 and a contact orbearing disc 6 which is secured to'on'e'e'nd of this bolt 5.;The surfaceof the contact disc 6 is disposedperpendicular-to the lengthwise axis ofthe bolt 5 and this bolt 5 is mounted at the bracket 1 in such a mannerthat its axis is directed outside of the center of the arcuate-shapedbracket 1, as particularly well seen by referring to FIG. 2.

Continuing, it will be observed that a guide bushing or sleeve 7-issecured to the bracket 1 in axial alignment with the bearing bore at thebracket 1. Guide bushing 7 is equipped with an adjustment or positioningscrew 8. Hence the bolt 5 extends both through the non-illustratedbearing bore as well as through the guide bushing or sleeve 7. Itsdesired position can be regulated by means of the aforementionedadjustment screw 8. The adjustable stop or impact means 4 serves foradjusting the entire apparatus 1, '18 at the head of the patient. Theimpact means 4, as already explained, is elevationally adjustable,permitting a desired regulation of the 'X-ray machine with respect tothe portion of the head of the patient which is to be photographed, i.e., X-rayed. When the contact disc 6 .comes to bear upon the head ofthe patient, then, the bolt 5 is disposed vertically and since the axisof the bolt 5 is directed outside of the center of the arcuate-shapedbracket 1 there results an inclination of the outlet for the centralX-ray beam so that the X-rays travel at a certain angle with respect toa horizontal plane.

During practical use of the device it is of advantage if the X-rays alsoextend at a certain angle with respect to the frontal plane disposedbefore the face of the patient. For this purpose the face of the contactdisc 6 as viewed from the top is provided with lines or notches 16.These lines 16 permit controlling the adjustment of the device withrespect to the frontal plane considered above. The two previouslydiscussed angles have been predetermined advantageously at In FIG. 2 theinvention is illustrated as attached to the dental X-ray machine. Itwill be observed that a cassette 17 is located at the film holder 3,this film cassette or magazine 17 being retained in desired position bythe guide rails 14 and 15. The clamping ring 2 is attached to the outletportion of the dental X-ray machine 18 which is equipped with theconical member or nose 12. The surfaces of the film cassette 17, thedisc 6 and the front surface of the cone 12 represent those surfaceswhich come to bear against the head of the patient.

While the preferred use is described, it is to be distinctly understoodthat the invention is not limited thereto but may be otherwise variouslyutilized and practiced within the scope of the following claimsaccordingly,

I claim:

1. An auxiliary device for producing dental X-ray pictures of the humantemporomandibular joint, comprising a bracket, a film holder fixed onsaid bracket, means for securing said bracket together with said filmholder to an X-ray machine, said securing means being fixed on saidbracket in a position opposite to and spaced from said film holder,adjustable stop means mounted on said bracket intermediate said securingmeans and said film holder for positioning the device with respect to ahuman cranium, said adjustable stop means comprises an axially elongatedbolt member mounted on said bracket and arranged relative to saidbracket to be displaceable in its axial direction and to be lockable, acontact disc secured to said bolt, said bracket has an arcuateconfiguration shaped to pass around a portion of the human cranium intaking X-ray pictures of the temporomandibular joint, said means forsecuring said bracket to an X-ray machine secured to one end of saidbracket and said film holder secured to the opposite end of saidbracket, said bolt member passing through said bracket so that its axisextends transversely of the line extending between said means forsecuring said bracket and said film holder, and said contact disclocated on the concave side of said arcuate bracket.

2. An auxiliary device for producing dental X-ray pictures, as set forthin claim 1, wherein the axis of said bolt is arranged to pass outsidethe center of said arcuately shaped bracket.

1. An auxiliary device for producing dental X-ray pictures of the humantemporomandibular joint, comprising a bracket, a film holder fixed onsaid bracket, means for securing said bracket together with said filmholder to an X-ray machine, said securing means being fixed on saidbracket in a position opposite to and spaced from said film holder,adjustable stop means mounted on said bracket intermediate said securingmeans and said film holder for positioning the device with respect to ahuman cranium, said adjustable stop means comprises an axially elongatedbolt member mounted on said bracket and arranged relative to saidbracket to be displaceable in its axial direction and to be lockable, acontact disc secured to said bolt, said bracket has an arcuateconfiguration shaped to pass around a portion of the human cranium intaking X-ray pictures of the temporomandibular joint, said means forsecuring said bracket to an X-ray machine secured to one end of saidbracket and said film holder secured to the opposite end of saidbracket, said bolt member passing through said bracket so that its axisextends transversely of the line extending between said means forsecuring said bracket and said film holder, and said contact disclocated on the concave side of said arcuate bracket.
 2. An auxiliarydevice for producing dental X-ray pictures, as set forth in claim 1,wherein the axis of said bolt is arranged to pass outside the center ofsaid arcuately shaped bracket.